Tools of the Trade

Greetings from Wittenberg Seminary in Arusha, Tanzania. I'd like to share some specific blessings the LORD has provided here in the past few weeks. 

We are now past the one-month mark since Paula has joined me here in Africa. We are adjusting well to the surroundings and enjoying our day-to-day life in this community, even though we have been challenged with nearly daily power outages that have lasted between four and ten hours.

Paula and Ivy before church at Ambureni parish

Our Sunday School program averages around 10 students, including neighborhood visitors

Our seven seminary students and the Wittenberg faculty are hard at work as we prepare the men for service in our LORD's kingdom. There are 8 weeks left for this last semester of the year. Wittenberg Seminary is developing a website which includes an academic catalog, a student handbook, and an application form for enrollment. You can see the new website HERE.

The students have benefitted from some recent improvements, including rechargeable battery lighting for when the power goes out, as well as wall mounted desks and shelving for their small dormitory rooms:

Each of the students also received a new Swahili Bible and Bible cover:

The men are very thankful for these "tools of the trade" to assist in their studies for the pastoral ministry. 

This fall I have the opportunity to speak "live" via remote video call with several CLC churches for their mission festivals. I have also made a narrated video of the same presentation which you can see HERE. 

I give thanks to God that many hearts have been moved to support our CLC missions program, through your offerings and with your prayers. Through these, along with the efforts of our Board of Missions, our LORD is blessing us with the needed "tools of the trade" for operating Wittenberg Seminary. 

Safari, and Worship in Arusha

 

I have benefited greatly by having Todd Ohlmann, the CLC traveling missionary, here during my first 10 days in Tanzania. Lydia Ohlmann accompanied her dad for her "senior class trip," and has been a welcome presence during our travels and work. On Saturday we took a day away for a photo safari at Tarangire National Park. The natural wonders of God's creation were breathtaking - you may see some photos HERE.

On Palm Sunday I was privileged to preach the sermon for the Palm Sunday worship service at Ambureni Parish, which is on the same site as the Wittenberg Seminary here in Arusha. You may see a few photos below. Following the service there was a lunch provided for the guests and students from the seminary. 

Missionary Ohlmann and Lydia leave for the U.S. today (the 4th). I'll now have about 3 weeks to prepare for the second semester at the seminary, and will also be visiting TZ-CLC congregations with Pastor Jeremia. I continue to give thanks to our LORD for His blessings on this beginning portion of the work here! 

"Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands." (Ps. 90:16-17)

PHOTOS (click to enlarge)

Preaching at Esilalei Masai congregation, March 28

Worship at Ambureni Parish in Arusha, Palm Sunday, April 2

A video clip of a hymn being sung during the service is HERE.

Fellowship time after church